A toddler’s unexpected and hilarious response to finding out he’s about to become a big brother has taken the internet by storm—garnering over 4 million views on Instagram and sparking laughter across social media.
In the viral clip, 2-year-old Ezrah is seen reacting to the news of a new baby with a very specific request: his toy chainsaw. The moment, shared by his mother Elkey Zandstra, 31, was meant to be a sweet family announcement featuring a baby doll symbolizing the family’s new addition. But Ezrah had other plans.
“Honestly, I didn’t really expect him to react,” Zandstra told Newsweek. “He’s two, so the concept of having another baby in the house hasn’t quite registered yet. But hey, expect the unexpected, right?”
The video shows Zandstra and her husband William, 38, sitting with their children, 4-year-old Emray and toddler Ezrah—as they reveal the news. While Emray appears delighted, Ezrah starts to “cut” the doll with his toy.
“My daughter is excited to have another baby in the house!” Zandstra added.
But it was Ezrah’s “middle child energy,” as described in the video caption, that truly resonated with viewers. The clip, captioned “The fact that he immediately channels his middle child energy. I don’t think he’s excited for this baby y’all,” has earned over 96,000 likes and sparked thousands of comments from amused parents.
Zandstra, who is currently 27 weeks pregnant, explained the chainsaw connection.
“Our in-laws gifted him a toy chainsaw for Christmas. And just a week before this announcement, we had an arborist come to our property to trim some trees with a chainsaw,” she said.
“Ever since then, he’s been obsessed with his toy chainsaw and pretends to cut everything in sight. So when he did that to the baby doll, it just made me laugh. He’s two—and kids this age make sense of their world through play. That’s exactly what he was doing.”
While Ezrah’s reaction has been met with laughter, parenting experts say that toddlers often experience big feelings when a new sibling is on the way. Playful (and occasionally dramatic) reactions are common—and even healthy.
One user commented: “As a primary teacher and *actual* child development expert, he is two. He has no concept of death or even of other people’s feelings yet. He probably has not made the connection that a baby doll represents a real human baby since he is the youngest and is probably not around babies much. All he knows is how a chainsaw works. ‘Toy chainsaw cuts other toys,’ is the depth of his thought process.”
“As a middle child boy myself, I can confirm, get use to it,” said another.
Toddler and Baby Tips
If you’re preparing to expand your family, here are some expert-backed tips to help both you and your toddler adjust:
- Expect Confidence—And Chaos – Having a second baby may feel easier because you’ve done it before. But managing two young children comes with a different kind of exhaustion and a new layer of complexity.
- Your Time Is Now Split – Unlike with your first, you won’t be able to devote your full attention to the newborn. Your toddler still needs love, routine, and support while you navigate night feeds and naps.
- Understand Toddler Emotions – From your toddler’s point of view, a new baby can feel like a threat. They’re used to being the center of attention, and suddenly things change. Some children may express jealousy or regress in behavior—this is normal.
- Look Out for Regression – Don’t be surprised if your toddler starts acting “babyish”—crying more, forgetting potty skills, or wanting to be fed again. This is their way of saying: I still need you, too.
- Reassure Through Play and Affection – Children this age process change through play. Like Ezrah with his chainsaw, your toddler may use toys to explore their feelings. Involve them in baby care when possible and create special one-on-one moments to remind them they matter just as much as before.
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